Another step has been taken in the plan to develop Porirua's northern suburbs into a thriving community.

Porirua City councillors last week accepted the Northern Growth Area Structure Plan for the proposed zone, which will become a suburb of more than 3000 homes - and potentially a new school and community facilities - fostered on land between Plimmerton and Pukerua Bay.

It is expected to take up to 30 years to develop.

The council's senior environmental policy analyst, Peter Matich, told councillors the structure plan had been in train since December.

Consultation with landowners and public workshops meant the council was receiving plenty of feedback, he said.

Porirua Mayor Nick Leggett asked about the ability to make changes to the plan in the future.

Matich said conservative estimates were being made with that in mind.

"In terms of housing, our numbers are appealing for developers and there is a lot of in-built flexibility to respond to what the market needs."

Heritage, environmental and infrastructure concerns, along with the impact of Transmission Gully, would all be taken into account as the plan was advanced, Matich said.

He said there was interest from developers and a hope the land could be re-zoned "sooner rather than later".

Councillor Ken Douglas said the plan was a good one, but it was important the integrity of the village programme would be maintained in the new suburb.

The public can make submissions on the structure plan for the next month.